About Us
Our Team
Dan Madularu, Ph.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Dan Madularu is a highly accomplished researcher and entrepreneur with a track record of success in academia and the private sector. He earned his PhD from the Concordia University’s Center for Behavioural Neurobiology (CSBN) in Montreal, where his research focused on the characterization of animal models of disease, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. Dan’s work has resulted in numerous publications in top-tier scientific journals.
In 2021, Dan founded Tessellis Ltd, a company dedicated to the automation of magnetic resonance (MR) data processing. Under Dan’s leadership, Tessellis has quickly established itself as a leader in the field, providing innovative solutions to automate complex and time-consuming MR data analysis tasks, and enabling researchers to accelerate their research and development efforts.
In the summer of 2022, Dan was appointed as President of Ekam Imaging, a preclinical imaging CRO specializing in MR imaging, where he is leading the company’s expansion and process automation efforts. His deep understanding of preclinical research and MR data analysis, combined with his entrepreneurial vision and leadership, make him the ideal person to drive Ekam Imaging’s growth and success in the years ahead.
In 2021, Dan founded Tessellis Ltd, a company dedicated to the automation of magnetic resonance (MR) data processing. Under Dan’s leadership, Tessellis has quickly established itself as a leader in the field, providing innovative solutions to automate complex and time-consuming MR data analysis tasks, and enabling researchers to accelerate their research and development efforts.
In the summer of 2022, Dan was appointed as President of Ekam Imaging, a preclinical imaging CRO specializing in MR imaging, where he is leading the company’s expansion and process automation efforts. His deep understanding of preclinical research and MR data analysis, combined with his entrepreneurial vision and leadership, make him the ideal person to drive Ekam Imaging’s growth and success in the years ahead.
Sima Soltanpour, Ph.D.
Vice President of Platform and AI Innovation
Dr. Sima Soltanpour is an accomplished innovator and expert in computational imaging, machine learning, and deep learning, specializing in advanced algorithm development for preclinical MRI data analysis. With a PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering and over a decade of multidisciplinary experience, Dr. Soltanpour has successfully developed robust automated solutions for image segmentation, denoising, motion correction, and atlas registration.
Dr. Soltanpour is also part of York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering as an Assistant Professor, driving curriculum innovation and pedagogical excellence in electrical engineering and computer science. Prior to this, she served as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer at Carleton University, where she spearheaded collaborations with industry and academic stakeholders to deliver automated, AI-enabled MRI processing pipelines.
Currently, as Vice President of Platform and AI Innovation at Ekam Imaging, Dr. Soltanpour leads strategic initiatives focused on integrating artificial intelligence and automation into scalable preclinical imaging workflows. Her visionary approach and expertise in computational imaging technologies are instrumental to Ekam’s commitment to accelerating breakthroughs in neuroscience and streamlining drug development processes.
Dr. Soltanpour is also part of York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering as an Assistant Professor, driving curriculum innovation and pedagogical excellence in electrical engineering and computer science. Prior to this, she served as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Lecturer at Carleton University, where she spearheaded collaborations with industry and academic stakeholders to deliver automated, AI-enabled MRI processing pipelines.
Currently, as Vice President of Platform and AI Innovation at Ekam Imaging, Dr. Soltanpour leads strategic initiatives focused on integrating artificial intelligence and automation into scalable preclinical imaging workflows. Her visionary approach and expertise in computational imaging technologies are instrumental to Ekam’s commitment to accelerating breakthroughs in neuroscience and streamlining drug development processes.
Md Taufiq Nasseef, PhD
Director, Data Processing
Dr. Md Taufiq Nasseef is an accomplished computational neuroscientist and applied mathematician with more than 14 years of international research experience spanning Canada, the USA, the UK, Italy, and Saudi Arabia. He earned his PhD in Cognitive and Brain Sciences from the University of Trento, Italy, with research focused on brain function & connectivity modeling, directional connectivity and neuroimaging data analysis.
Taufiq has made significant contributions to the development of advanced MRI and fMRI data processing pipelines, including automated functional connectivity analysis, atlas registration, denoising, motion and bias correction. He has published extensively in the fields of neuroscience and mathematical modeling, and his work is highly regarded for its integration of computational tools and clinical relevance.
In his role as Director of Data Processing, Taufiq is leading the development and optimization of scalable, automated solutions for preclinical MRI and fMRI data. His deep technical expertise in ANTs, FSL, AFNI, SPM, MINC, and machine learning pipelines enables the streamlining of data workflows and ensures the high-quality processing of complex neuroimaging datasets.
Taufiq’s leadership in multi-site collaborations, coupled with his hands-on experience in data science and neuroimaging analytics, makes him a vital part of Ekam’s mission to revolutionize magnetic resonance data processing and accelerate discovery in neuroscience.
Taufiq has made significant contributions to the development of advanced MRI and fMRI data processing pipelines, including automated functional connectivity analysis, atlas registration, denoising, motion and bias correction. He has published extensively in the fields of neuroscience and mathematical modeling, and his work is highly regarded for its integration of computational tools and clinical relevance.
In his role as Director of Data Processing, Taufiq is leading the development and optimization of scalable, automated solutions for preclinical MRI and fMRI data. His deep technical expertise in ANTs, FSL, AFNI, SPM, MINC, and machine learning pipelines enables the streamlining of data workflows and ensures the high-quality processing of complex neuroimaging datasets.
Taufiq’s leadership in multi-site collaborations, coupled with his hands-on experience in data science and neuroimaging analytics, makes him a vital part of Ekam’s mission to revolutionize magnetic resonance data processing and accelerate discovery in neuroscience.
Craig Ferris, Ph.D.
Co-founder
Dr. Craig Ferris is a renowned neuroscientist and a co-founder of Ekam Imaging Inc. With a PhD in Physiology from New York Medical College and over 230 publications, he is an accomplished Professor in the Departments of Psychology and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts. As the Director of the Center for Translational NeuroImaging, he has led pioneering research in the field of awake animal imaging, an innovative approach to studying brain function that has revolutionized preclinical research.
In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Ferris is a seasoned entrepreneur who has co-founded four companies and holds nine issued patents. He is also the author of several animal MRI atlases, which are widely recognized as essential tools for preclinical neuroimaging. As the Chief Scientific Officer of Ekam Imaging, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the team, driving innovation and helping to transform the drug discovery process.
In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Ferris is a seasoned entrepreneur who has co-founded four companies and holds nine issued patents. He is also the author of several animal MRI atlases, which are widely recognized as essential tools for preclinical neuroimaging. As the Chief Scientific Officer of Ekam Imaging, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the team, driving innovation and helping to transform the drug discovery process.
Praveen Kulkarni, Ph.D.
Co-founder and Principal Scientist
Dr. Praveen Kulkarni is a computational scientist and a co-founder of Ekam Imaging, where he serves as the Chief Technology Officer. He received his PhD from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts, and has published over 80 papers in the field of medical image visualization and data analysis. For the past 14 years, he has been the driving force behind the development and management of the Computational Core at the Center for Translational NeuroImaging at Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts.
Dr. Kulkarni’s research expertise is in the field of small rodent and marmoset imaging, with a particular emphasis on medical image visualization and data analysis. His vast experience in the development of novel computational tools and algorithms has enabled him to provide cutting-edge solutions to the most challenging problems in the field of preclinical imaging. As the Chief Technology Officer of Ekam Imaging, Dr. Kulkarni plays a pivotal role in leading the company’s technological innovations and driving its mission to improve drug discovery and development.
Dr. Kulkarni’s research expertise is in the field of small rodent and marmoset imaging, with a particular emphasis on medical image visualization and data analysis. His vast experience in the development of novel computational tools and algorithms has enabled him to provide cutting-edge solutions to the most challenging problems in the field of preclinical imaging. As the Chief Technology Officer of Ekam Imaging, Dr. Kulkarni plays a pivotal role in leading the company’s technological innovations and driving its mission to improve drug discovery and development.
